Is there any truth to the rumor that the Sniper tab is going to be authorized for wear in 2018?

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 21 Aug 2017 18:46:15 -0400

I have been hearing whispers that the sniper tab is going to be authorized for wear for several years now, however, I recently began hearing from reputable sources that it would be authorized in FY18. Does anyone have any first-hand knowledge of this, one way or the other?

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 22 at 2017 8:57 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 22 Aug 2017 08:57:22 -0400

I read an article earlier this year that said the Sniper Tab would NOT be authorized. I don't know how official that article was or if anything has changed since though. It's weird that there isn't some sort of identification for graduates of sniper school. A tab or a badge or something.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 22 at 2017 10:03 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 22 Aug 2017 10:03:14 -0400

When I was on active duty there was a SSG in the other scout platoon that wore a sniper tab.. when did it become unauthorized?

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 22 at 2017 12:03 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 22 Aug 2017 12:03:43 -0400

I remember hearing about this but I personally think it's unnecessary - much like how the field artillery used to have the red NCO stripe, and the fabled red cord similar to that of the infantry. It would just be one more thing to have to make look nice.

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made Aug 22 at 2017 1:12 PM

SGT Joseph Gunderson — Tue, 22 Aug 2017 13:12:34 -0400

I seriously doubt it. Tabs are pretty guarded. I remember when I was still in there was a stupid rumor among the Cav community that the Recon tab was going to be authorized by Scouts to wear. None of us really believed it, but it didn't stop quite a few of us young guys from wearing them underneath out pocket flap lol

Response by Cpl John Barker made Aug 22 at 2017 3:59 PM

Cpl John Barker — Tue, 22 Aug 2017 15:59:47 -0400

Boy, you army guys sure like letting the enemy know who's who. We don't even wear rank on our uniforms in the field...

Response by SGT Gary Clark made Aug 24 at 2017 3:27 PM

SGT Gary Clark — Thu, 24 Aug 2017 15:27:11 -0400

Can't verify how accurate this article is, but discusses the permanent, unit, obsolete, and unofficial tabs. http://popularmilitary.com/didnt-know-coveted-army-tabs/

Here is what you didn't know about the coveted Army tabs

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Response by SFC Jim Ruether made Aug 24 at 2017 3:57 PM

SFC Jim Ruether — Thu, 24 Aug 2017 15:57:58 -0400

Would you really want to be wearing this badge? Might be a target reference point!

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 24 at 2017 4:10 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 24 Aug 2017 16:10:22 -0400

Well the "C" Device and "R" Device have been approved, we have an Expert Action Badge (Name Pending) coming, there's rumors about a Master Infantry Badge and a Master Medic Badge. Jungle School is apparently coming back and rumors about the Jungle Tab/Patch so why not the Sniper Tab?

I don't think it should be worn in the field.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 24 at 2017 4:32 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 24 Aug 2017 16:32:12 -0400

I just want to be able to wear the MEDIC patch while on ranges and conducting training classes such as CLS. We cant wear them, but CBRN is authorized? Weird, I don't ever remember thinking to myself, "Gee I really wonder who the Chemical guys are", but it would be nice to know who the medics are when you aren't organic to that unit. When a PV2 approaches an NCO while doing wellness checks, things have gotten out of hand, before said NCO realizes the PV2 is a Medic. It also helps when the Range NCOIC and OIC have the Medic standing right next to them, but they decide to start calling 1SG's to find out "where the fucking medic is."

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 24 at 2017 7:50 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 24 Aug 2017 19:50:12 -0400

Is there an ALARACT or 670-1 policy update published?

Until there is, the answer is no, and anything else is just hearsay. Even "firsthand knowledge" is not reputable unless you get the CG himself to make a statement.

Sniper, jungle, recon, recondo, all this nonsense has been "about to be approved" for decades.

Until you have the policy memo in hand, the answer is no.

Response by SSG Kenneth Lanning made Aug 28 at 2017 4:47 AM

SSG Kenneth Lanning — Mon, 28 Aug 2017 04:47:34 -0400

Authorized or not, even if I was a sniper you wouldn't catch me wearing a sign...

Response by MCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 29 at 2017 6:46 PM

MCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 29 Aug 2017 18:46:03 -0400

I remember this rumor when I was in back in the early '80s. Don't count on it.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 14 at 2017 3:40 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 14 Oct 2017 15:40:02 -0400

Are there any tabs that let people know I’m green on my GAT 2.0???

Response by MSG Frederick Otero made Oct 30 at 2017 10:49 PM

MSG Frederick Otero — Mon, 30 Oct 2017 22:49:28 -0400

Not so sure that snipers want to be identified in or out of the field environment.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 23 at 2018 9:46 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 23 Jan 2018 09:46:40 -0500

As per a former instructor from USASS he informed me there is a good star mother pushing Congress to authorize it as her son, a sniper with one of the Ranger Battalions was Kia. According to him via the mother her son was more proud of being a sniper than being a ranger. She is questioning why there’s no recognition for the skill other than an ASI.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Apr 4 at 2018 10:40 AM

SGM Bill Frazer — Wed, 04 Apr 2018 10:40:10 -0400

Please son- the rumor was around when I went to school in 77- never saw an authorized tab in my 22+ yrs.